Baling-press



.L t e e h s ...w .6. e h s 2 Sl. MS 0G 0r. buv..4 Gde ..D P u .nw WB a d 0 M o fN\ Patented March 22,1881.

(ND Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet; 2.

W. P. GRO-0M. `Ealing' Press.

No. 239,162; Patented March 22,1881;

"MIWHMIMMP 121/6712 b1 WW N-F|'ERS, PHOTO-LITHOGI1PHER, WASHINGTON, D. 6,

f ,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALLACE I?. GROOM, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BALI NG-VPRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,162, dated March 22, 1881.

Application tiled October 2, '1880.

T all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WALLACE P. GROOM, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Baling- Presses and in Gearingl for Driving the Same, and for other purposes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to what are known as continuous presses, in which a traverser or plunger is reciprocated in a rectangular trunk or chamber. While the plunger is back the cotton or other fibrous material to he baled is put intozthe trunk or press-chamber in small quantities in advance of said plunger, and when the plunger makes its forward stroke or movement any material introduced in front of it is forced forward and tightly compressed in said trunk vor chamber. lhe compressed `materialis divided at proper intervals by dividing pieces or plates, which are inserted, while sists in a pair of intermeshing spur-wheels of equal size and form rotating in the same plane, each having its toothed periphery composed` of two arcs of different radii, each arc havin ga number of teeth corresponding to the number of tooth-spaces ofthe other arc, and having at each end of the arc of greater radins a large tooth, and at each end of the arc of lesser radius a space for the reception of said large tooth. During the forward or working stroke of the plunger, which may be connected with one of the wheels by a pitman or connectingrod, the are of lesser radius upon the drivingwheel engages with the arc of greater radius upon the wheel to which the pitman` is connected, and the movement of the plunger is slow; but on the backward or return stroke the arc of greater radius upon the driving- (No model.)

wheel engages with the arc of lesser radius upon the other wheel, and the movement of the plunger is comparatively quick.

Other features of my invention consist in the combination ofpairs of intermeshin g spurwheels, the wheels of each pair being of equal size and form and rotating in the same plane, and each wheel having its toothed periphery composed of two arcs of different radii, each arc having a number of teeth corresponding to the number oftooth-spaces in the other are and other spur-wheels, whereby I produce a very desirable arrangement of gearing for baling-presses.

Another feature of my invention consists in the combination, with a press trunk or chamber and a plunger adapted to be reciprocated therein, offriction-wheels arranged in bearin gs outside the chamber and projecting through the same, so as to sustain the weight of the plunger and lessen the friction, and means for adjusting or setting up said wheelsto cause them to project more or less into the chamber. In presses of this character it is desirable to prevent the pressed material from a return or retrogressive movement due to its elasticity when the plunger commences its backward or return stroke and the pressure thereof is removed from the pressed material. In the press shown in Letters Patent granted to me April 27,1880,andnumbered 226,998, this tendencyis obviated by providing the press trunk or chamber internally with ratchet-shaped teeth, which offer a resistance to the forward movement of the materiahand also prevent the retrogressive movement of such material as the plunger recedes. The elasticity of the pressed material outward or sidewise is not always sufcient to cause it to properly engage suddenly with the first of these notches; and to obviate this diffi culty, another feature consists in a press-chamber provided with such ratchet-teeth, having immediately preceding said teeth a concave recess, and having in the face of thetooth or teeth next following said recess a series of smaller ratchet-teeth. The concave recess permits the material, as it is pressed forward by the plunger, to gradually expand, and said ma-` terial is then gradually contracted, so that after passing the concave recess the elasticity caused by the expansion and subsequent lat- ICO eral compression will cause it to expand sufficiently to engage with the first of the ratchetteeth, and by the action of the smaller ratchetteeth the material of each feed is separately engaged, and is also contracted by successive steps, so that upon reaching the second fullsized ratchet-tooth it will engage strongly therewith. In connection with such a press there is preferably employed a condenser adapted to be reciprocated in a box or chamber parallel with the press trunk or chamber, so as to subject the loose material to a preliminary pressing to form it into layers, and there is also employed a feeder having a movement transverse to the movement of the plunger for feeding such layers of condensed or partially-compressed material into the press trunk or chamber.

Another feature of my invention relates to mechanism for reciprocating` the said condenser; anditconsistsin the combination,with a press-chamber, reciprocating plunger, and condenser, of racks attached to said condenser and to a stationary support, a pinion or pinions placed between and engaging with both said racks, and mechanism for reciprocating said pinions, whereby the length of movement of said movable racks is double that of the pinion or pinions, and the condenser given a long movement or stroke by a comparatively short stroke of the operating mechanism.

Another feature of myinvention consists in the combination, with a press trunk or chamber, a plunger fitted thereto, a condenser, and a feeder, of a spring-lever, or a lever comprising an elastic portion for operating said feeder, whereby, in case the feeder is blocked in any way or prevented from making its full movement, breakage of the operating mechanism is prevented.

Another feature consists in the combination of a press-chamber, a reciprocating plunger, a feeder and mechanism for moving it inward, and a spring or springs for assisting the outward movement of the feeder, whereby all shocks upon the operating mechanism are in a great measure obviated. l

Other features of my invention consist in the combination, with a press-chamber, a reciprocating plunger, a reciprocating condenser, and a condenser box or chamber having an opening for the introduction of material therein, of a pivoted lateral folder, which4 is moved intoa position parallel with the movement of the condenser as the latter advances, and so presses inward all material projecting outside the feed-opening in the condenser-box. The said folder is preferably weighted, so as to be automatically opened, and is closed by an incline upon the condenser, and in order to prevent injury to the hand of an operator orto tools or implements, if caught by the folder in its movement, thelatter is pivoted to supports which are capable of yielding.

Another feature of my invention consists in a novel combination, with a press, of a bell or other signal and an adjustable trip adapted to be secured to the dividing-plates and to move therewith, for the purpose of tripping or operating the bell or signal and notifying the operator when a bale is completed and the insertion of another dividing piece or plate is required.

Another feature of myinvention consists in a novel combination of devices whereby, iny

case of the feeder being prevented fron. Ynpleting its full inward movement, a c'lutel will be operated to disen gage the driving mechanism and stop the plunger.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurelrepresents a longitudinal section through a press embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a partly-sectional plan thereof. Fig. 3 represents a side view of two of the driving-wheels of the press. Fig. 4 represents a horizontal section through certain of the driving-wheels. Fig. 5 represents a detail section of a small portion of the toothed interior of the press trunk or chamber upon a larger scale. Fig.6 represen ts a side elevation of the press. Fig. 7 represents a horizontal section thereof upon the dotted "ne m ai, Fig. 6, and upon a larger scale. Fig. 8 represents a detail of the trlp, showing a method of attaching it to the dividing pieces or plates for tripping the bell or signal; and Fig. 9 is a detail view of -mechanism of modified form for operating the condensers.

Similar letters ot' reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A designates the press trunk or chamber, the sides of which are continued so as to form the side frames, A', for supporting the operating mechanism.

B designates a plunger iitted to the trunk or chamber, and adapted to be reciproca-ted therein by a pitman or connectingrod, B. This connecting rod or pitman derives its movement from a crank-pin, a, between the wheels C C, which,in turn, are driven by other wheels, D D, an intermediate wheel, D', and a pinion, D2. Upon the outer ends of the shaft D3, upon which the pinion D2 is fitted, are wheels D45, which derive motion from pinions D5 upon a main driving-shaft, D6, provided With pulleys D7 and iiy-wheels D8. This arrangement of driving mechanism, though very desirable because of its compactness and great power, may be varied in a variety ot' ways to suit different circumstances or the character of the material to be pressed. One particular novelty in this driving mechanism is the peculiar construction of the wheels G C and D D, which are adapted to numerous other kinds of machinery where an alternate quick and slow movementis desired. Taking, for example, one pair of intermeshing wheels, C D, I will now describe their peculiarity. The toothed periphery of each wheel is composed of twov arcs which are of different radii and have the number of teeth in each are cor'- responding to the number of tooth-spaces in the other arc. The two radii of each wheel may bear any relation to each other, provided IOO IIO

dit

that the radii of the other wheel are the same.

Each wheel is preferably provided at each end of its arc of greater radius with a large long tooth or projection, Zi, of peculiar shape, so as to change the movement from quick to slower, or vice versa, gradually and wit-hout jar, and

at each end of its are of lesser radius with a ,notch or space, c, for the reception of the long togkth or projection b of the other wheel, so as romp-Ji provide for the strong engagement of the ,i wheels when the change in motion is made twice in each rotation.

For the purpose of economizing metal and laborin constructionas well as space, the wheels D and D are cast together, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and they rotate upon a common shaft, d, receiving motion from the single pinion D2.

In case the plunger should meet with any obstacle great strain might be thrown upon the crank-pin and upon the wheels C, sufticientperhaps to bend their shafts. It will be observed, however, that at the time the plunger is making its forward or working stroke, when this is most likely to occur, the wheels U overlap the sides of the intermediate wheel and prevent theirinterlocking therewith; butto render the interlocking of the wheels C with the interme diate wheel impossible at any point of their rotation each ofthe wheels C is provided upon its outer side with a flange, e, which projects upon the outer side of the wheel D, as shown clearly in Fig. 4.

lt will be observed that, inasmuch as the wheels U and D are ofeqnalsizeand form, when the wheels O are uotprovided with the ijanges c the wheels C and D may be cast from the same pattern, and may be substituted one for the other without changing at all their rel-.t-

`tion to each other.

The pinion D2 is locked to its shaft D3 by means of a clutch,f, and by the operation of a hell-crank lever, j", may be moved to engage with the clutch or to release it therefrom to stop the pl un ger,for a purpose hereinaiterdescrihed.

In order to support the plunger and lessen the friction incident to the reciprocation ofthe same, I employ friction-wheels E, which are supported in bearings outside the chamber of the press, asshown clearly in Fig. l, and are adapted to be set up by screws g, so as to project more or less into the chamber of the press. One of the important advantages of supporting these friction-wheels in bearings outside the press trunk or chamber is that lubricating 55 material, such as oil, may not soil the material to be pressed, such as cotton, as it would if applied ,to the j ournals ofrollers or friction-wheels when supported in bearings in the plunger.

In order to prevent any backward or retrogressive movement of the material as the plunger leaves it to commence its backward or return stroke, and which might be due to theelasticity of the compressed material, I provide the press trunk or chamber A internally with 65 small ratchet-shaped teeth h, into which the pressed material sprin gs and remains engaged as the plunger commences its backward or return stroke, and which prevent retrogressive movement of the pressed material. As the pressed material approaches the exit end of the press trunk or chamber its lateral elasticity is gradually subdued, and to conform to this changing condition ofthe material it will be observed that the ratchet-teeth decrease in length and depth gradually from the entrance to the exitend of the press trunk or chamber, the angle of their faces preferably, however, remaining the same. So far described these ratchetteeth form no part of this invention, but are described and shown in my above-retierred-to Letters Patent. Some difficulty has, however, been experienced with certain materials, owing to the fact that when pressed their side elasticity is very little, and not sufficient to cause them ,to engage as strongly as is desired with the first of the ratchet-teeth. 'Io obviate this I form in the interior of the press trunk or chamber, and immediately preceding the ratchetteeth, a concave recess or cavity, h', as shown more clearly in Fig. 5, which represents a section of a small part ot' the press trunk or chamber, and in the face ofthe tooth h2 neXt `following the concave recess or cavity l form a series of smaller teeth. (Also clearly shown in Fig. 5.) It will be understood thatas the material is forced by the plunger past the concave recess or cavity the pressed material has an opportunity to gradually expand to till the deepest part ofsaid recess or cavity, and is then as gradually contracted, so that when it passes out of the recess or cavity its lateral elasticity will cause it to spring into and engage strongly withtheratchet-teeth. Bythesmallerratchetteeth in the face of the tooth h2 the material of each feed is held against retrogressive movement until the material of successive feeds equals the length ofoneofthefull-sized ratchetteeth.

lt will be observed that the back edge of the concave recess or cavity h is somewhat ahrupt, and when so made any loose material that may be carried back by the plunger, and which projects beyond the edges thereof, is scraped off by said back edge. i

Turning, now, to other parts of the machine, F designates a condenser adapted to be reciprocated parallel with the movement of `the press-plunger in a box or comlenser-chamher, F', at one side-in the present instance on top of the press-chamber. This box or chamber has in its sidein this case the top sidean opening, F2, through which material may be introduced, and by the forward movement of the condenser the loose material so introduced is condensed or partly compressed against one end of the condenser box or chamber. The condenser may be moved by a bifurcated rod, F3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, attached directly to it; but the mechanism shown in Fig. 9 for moving the condenser possesses them.

To the condenser itself, preferably upon each side, are attached racks i, and beneath these some novel features, and I will now describe IOO IIO

racks, to a stationary support-here formed by the condenser-box F.-I attach other racks, i', facing the racks t'. Between and engaging with both racks of each pair isa pinion or piuion's, j, one being here shown upon each side, and these pinions are secured in bearings in the bifurcated arm or rod F3, which is connected at its other end with an operating-lever, F4. This lever, which is pivoted at k, is preferably bifurcated at its lower portion, which straddles the connecting-rod or pitman B', and in said bifurcated portion is a curved slot, Z, of very peculiar formation, which engages with and receives within it a pin, m, upon the pitman or connecting-rod B. Theform ofthe slot lin the lever F4 is so regulated that the entire forward movement of the condenser F to compress the loose material will take place'during thelatter part of the iirst half of the backward stroke of the plunger, and while the plunger completes the iirst part of the other half of such stroke the condenser is held securely in place, and the back wall ot the condenser-box F and the end of the condenser between which is the partially-pressed or condensed layer of material form walls, between which works or moves inward a feeder, G, to forcethe layer of condensed material into the trunk or chamber A. The feeder G is fitted in guides n upon each side of the end of the condenser-box F, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and is adapted to be reciprocated therein by any suitable mechanism, that preferably being` employed, nowever, which will move the feeder inward until the end thereofis tiush with the inner wall of the trunk or chamber, and there hohl it, closing the hole or opening through which the feeder works while the plunger' passes it. The mechanism here represented for this purpose consists ot a lever, G', pivoted to a standard, G2, and deriving its motion through rods G3 from other levers, G4, pivoted at 0 to the side of the press trunk or chamber, and carrying upon their ends rollers engaging with cam'- slots o in each side of the plunger.

As represented in Fig. 2, the lever G is composed of a rock-shaft, 19,2111 arm, p, extending upon one side thereof, and connected with the feeder by means of a link,p2, and arms p3, which extend upon the other side of the rockshaft and have the rods G3 connected to them.

As clearly shown in Fig. l, the end of the arm p', which is attached to the feeder G, is thin, so as to possess considerable elasticity, and in case of any obstacle to the complete movementoftheteeder this elastic portion will yield and prevent breakage.

When the plunger is reversed in motion and increased in speed a considerable shock may be caused by the reversing of the feeder-operating mechanism, particularly the cam-slots o and the studs of the friction-rollers working therein, and to obviate this difiiculty I employ a spring' or springs, q, under the feeder, which exert an outward pressure upon said feeder and assist in its outward movement when the same is permitted by the changed movement of the plunger. In this instance the springs q are coiled around rods g', which aresecured at the back wall of the condenser-box F and 7o project upwardly through lugs q2 at the top of the feeder G. The springs are inserted between the supports for the rods q and said lugs 2,-. but they might be attached in other ways, and the mechanism for Working the feeder might be variously modified.

1 have previously said that in the top of the condenser box or chamber F is an opening, F2, through which loose material is introduced into the box or chamber, and this opening is closed by a hinged or pivoted folder, H. (See more particularly Fig. 1.) This folder is pivoted in supports or bearings r, and at its rear end is a weight or weights, r', so that when not otherwise actuated it tends toward an open position rela-tively to the opening F2, as shown in Fi. 1. As the condenser moves forward this folder is moved into a. position parallel with the movement of the condenser, and crowds into the proper place all loose material that may pro- 9o ject outside the condenser, so that as the condenser moves forward under the folder all such material is compressed into a compact and well-defined layer, which may be easily pushed into the press trunk or chamber by the movement ofthe feeder. Any suitable means may be employed for so moving the, folder, though I prefer, as here represented, to have it moved from orby the movement of the condenser itself. As will be seen in Figs. I and 6, the condenser is provided with inclines s, which engage rollers s upon the folder as the condenser moves forward and moves thel folder, as aforesaid.

In lfeeding loose material through the opening F2 in the condenser box or chamber there is a possibility of the hand of the operator or his implements being caught under the descending folder H, and to prevent bodily injury in case of such an accident the bearings or supports 1', in which the folder is pivoted, are adapted to yield, they being provided with springs s2, (shown clearly in Fig. 6,) which permit of this.

The dividing pieces or plates l, which I have hereinbefore referred to, are shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and consist of rectangular flat pieces ittin g theinternaltransverse section ofthe presschamber A, and adapted to be lfed into the same in a manner similar to that in'which a layer of partly-pressed material is introduced by the feeder G. After the dividing-pieces are so inserted at regular intervals they are carried forward through the press trunk or chamber by the action of the plunger. These dividing pieces or plates a-re formed with grooves t in each side, which afford provision for introducing' a wire tie or band for tying IOO IOS

IIO

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the pressed material into-separate bales, and

ordinarily the closest watchfulness is required on the part of the operator to insure the insertion of these dividing-pieces at the proper time. To obviate the necessity of such embarrassing watchfulness I employ a bell, J, or

the-press trunk or chamber, so as to engage with vthe connection to the bell or signal as the dividing piece or plate passes it. j

In lieu of the bifurcated trip J',V Imay employ a piece adapted Vto be otherwise secured to the dividing-pieces, or driven into the press-j ed material, if desirable. y In order to prevent thedividing pieces or plates from engaging with the ratchet-teeth 71l upon the press trunk or chamber, I provide said chamber with longitudinal plain surfaces or bearers h3 upon certain or all of the walls thereof. I have previously described the pinion D2 of the driving mechanism as locked fast to the shaft D3 by means of a clutch, f, and I will now describe the manner of the operation and the purpose of said clutch.

In case of an accident, so that the feeder should only perform a partial inward movement, and perhaps only partially insert a dividing piece or plate, l, into they press tru-nk or chamber, the plunger moving forward would strike against saiddividing piece or plate, and certainly cause a very serious break of some part of the press; and to obviate this I employ a pawl or dog, K, which is obtruded in the way of the plunger at each outward movement of the feeder and drawn out of the way of theplunger by each complete inward movement ofthe feeder. As clearly shown in Fig.

A l, the end of the pawl or dog and the top of the projection u upon the plunger, with which it may engage, are both inclined-or one only may be inclined-so that when the plunger moves backward or returns the pawl ordog` will be automatically lifted out of the way.` 1f the plunger be moving forward, however, and the pawl or dog be not raised out of the way, the projection u will strike it, and, moving it forward, will, through a rod, fv, operate the bell-crank lever f and shift the pinion D2 so as to disengage it from the clutch f and stop the plunger. The pawl or dog K is connected to one end of a lever, w, pivoted to a standard, L, and the other end of said lever projects in the way of the lugs q2 projecting from the back of the upper part of the feeder G. When the feeder has nearly completed its inward movement it strikes against the said lever w and raises the pawl or dog K out of the way of the plunger; but if it does not, for any reason, complete its inward movement the pawl or dog is not raised, and, being operated on by the plunger, the latter is stopped, as before stated, and the breakage of the press avoided. The mechanism through which the feeder is connected to the pawl or dog and through which the pawl or dog shifts the pinion might be modified in various Ways, the mechanism here shownbeing simplyltone of several arrangementsthat suggest themselves.

By myinvention I provide avery powerful press which may be easily operated, and in the operation of whichy the liability of accidents to'theoperator or to the machinery is greatly lessened.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is` u 1. A pair of intermeshing spurwheels of equal size and form, rotating in the same plane, each having its toothed periphery composed of two arcs of different radii, each arc having a number of teeth corresponding to the number of tooth-spaces in the other arc, and having at each end of the arc of greater radius a large tooth, and at each end ofthe arc of lesser radius a space for the reception of said large tooth, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the pinion D2, the intermeshing spur-wheel D', and the pairs of intermeshing wheelsD and G, rotatingimplanes upon each side thereof, each of the wheels D andO having its toothed periphery composed of two arcs otl different radii, and' each arc having `a number of teeth correspondingto the number of spaces in the other arc, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the intermediate spurwheel, D', the pairs of wheels D and G, rotating in planes upon each side thereof, each of the wheels D and G having its toothed periphery composed of two arcs of di'erent radii, and each arc having init a number of teeth corresponding to the number of spaces in the other arc, and the wheels C having upon their outer sides flanges e, which embrace the said `wheels D, substantially as specified. 4.. The combination, in a press, with a cham- IOO ber, a plungertittedthereto, and mechanism for j 2 reciprocating said plunger, of friction-wheels arranged in bearings outside said chamber and projecting into the same, and means for adjusting said wheels to cause them to project more or less into said chamber, substantially as specified.

5. The press-cham ber A, provided internally with the ratchet-teeth h and the preceding concave recess h', a-nd having in the face of the ratchet tooth or teeth next following said recess smallcr ratchet-teeth, substantially as specilied.

6. The combination, in a press, of a presse chamber, a plunger tted thereto, mechanism for reciprocating said plunger, a condenser, racks attached to said condenser and to a stationary support, a pinion or piuions betweenV IIO IZO

movable transversely thereto, and a springlever for moving said feeder, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, in a press, of a presschamber, a plunger tted thereto, mechanism for reciprocating said plunger, a feeder for supplying material to said chamber, movable transversely thereto, mechanism for moving said feeder forward toward said chamber, and a spring or springs assisting its return movement, substantially as specified.

9. The combination, in a press, with a chamber, a plunger fitted thereto, mechanism for reciprocating said plunger, and a reciprocating condenser, of a pivoted folder under which the condenser passes, and mechanism for moving said folder into a position approximately parallel With the movement of the condenser as the latter passes under it, substantially as speeiied.

l0. The combination, in a press, with a chamber, a plunger fitted thereto, mechanism for reciprocating said plunger, and a reciprocating condenser, of a pivoted folder and an incline upon the condenser for acting uponsaid folder to move it into a position approximately parallel with the movement of the condenser as the latter passes under it, substantially as specified.

ber, a plunger fitted thereto, a shaft through Which motion is transmitted to said plunger, and a clutch upon said shaft, a feeder movable transversely to the said chamber, and mechanism for moving said feeder, a dog ladapted to obtrude itself in the Way of the plunger connected With said clutch, and connected with the feeder, so that it is moved out of the Way of the plunger as the feeder moves inward, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

VALLACE P. GROOM.

Witnesses FREDK. HAYNEs, r- FREDK. THORNHILL. 

